Idle talk with Ikbal as Raimi watched intently. Came Muallimah Fauziah and I shooed them into class.

Chatted.

"They’re still in there."

"I’m aware."

"Go say hi."

"Maybe not."

Muallimah walked away. Saw them exiting. I turned towards the two evesdropping toms.

Raimi inquired. I laughed. "Gotta go now. Someone’s looking for me."

"Your boyfriend?" He chuckled.

"I’ve just met him." I smirked.

"When?" He feigned shocked.

"Now."

We laughed.

Exited 5 Amanah. Lectured the kids on the proper way to behave.

I live up to the first part of my Friendster nickname.

Glanced to my left. Saw Naim behind Muallimah Noraini. From afar, I can see his unmistakable grin and his double peace.

I gave him one.

Muallimah Noraini stared weirdly at me.

Ilham passed. Snided. Would have ran after him, but the books I were carrying were heavy.

He got lucky. And he knew.

I kept a watchful eye on him, predicting his tricks. He smirked.

Chatted with Naim as he played tag with his friends. I chortled.

Entered 3 Amanah. Can’t start the class with only half of them in, now, can I?

Exited and saw Raimi talking to Raja. Changed my mind and called Ikbal instead. "Ikbal, help me out, please?"

"Don’t want to!" Young prefect playfully ran away.

"Ikbal!" Ran after him but halted shortly. "Go find Mursyid for me!"   

"What is it, teacher?" Syafiq came and stared at the still running and grinning Ikbal.

"Oh, Syafiq." I turned towards the tall boy. "Can you find Mursyid of 3 Amanah for me? He’s supposed to be in now."

Syafiq went south; I went north towards class.

Class was hectic. "Teacher, someone got lost here!"

"Who?" I peeped at the person behind the door. "Naim, what are you doing in here?"

Three younger boy grabbed hold of the struggling boy. I held my red pen, ready to mark him.

He struggled, grin still adhered to his tanned skin. I laughed manignly.

"Let poor Abang Naim go." I dropped my pen and my hunchmen ceased hold. Naim scurried towards the back of the class.

"Naim, I can’t start my class with you in it!"

"I got to pay back at this kid!" He gestured at Irfan. I sighed and took the commander’s pose.

"Naim, out. Now. Revenge after school."

"Okay, teacher!"

He scurried away happily. That Naim. He never walk.

Mursyid entered shortly. I haven’t thanked Syafiq yet.

We started Arts ten minutes late.

School ended. I walked to 3 Sabar with books piled up.

Saw Hazim and Hussain exiting. "Get in class, young man."

"I don’t want to stay."

"Hussain, come on." Hazim pulled the boy inside. I smiled my thanks.

Smiling Raimi was arranging the Qurans. "Raimi, you stay, too."

"Don’t want to."

"At least, give me your book."

"I had."

"Really? Haven’t seen it, though. Hussain, sit here." I pulled the nearest chair out. "You’ve got corrections to do."

Hussain and Hazim sat. "I don’t want to."

"Hussain, come on. Raimi and Hazim, you guys listen, too."

The three boys objected with goofy laughter. I sighed. Raimi ran out.

I called out his full name and the lucky boy came back inside.

"Okay, I’ll stay. Poor teacher left alone."

I laughed despite the need to wipe that smug grin off.

Aqil came to see how we were doing. Hussain and Hazim played kicking-the-wall game at the back.

Raimi sipped on Aqil’s yogurt drinks. He reminded I was thirsty.

"Aqil, can you buy one for me?" I pulled out a blue bill.

"Sure. Two?" He eyed me and Raimi.

"Owh, teacher! What about us?" Hussain and Hazim piped out.

"Four." I grinned as I pulled out another. "But promise me, you guys’ll stay." Raimi quickly intervene.

"Three. Teacher, I’ll go home now." He flashed his grin, picked his bag up and ran off.

"Raimi! Get back here!"

He laughed. Hussain and Hazim joined him.

I rubbed my temple. Sat and counted.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Now.

As if on cue, three grinning boys entered the class. I smiled.

Now to get them to stay long enough for my points to get across.

p/s:

"Teacher, why budu as your car’s plate?"

"I’m not sure myself, Raimi."